House Dems to GOP: Be Honest with American People by Dropping Rhetoric on Pre-Existing Conditions
Newly Released Republican Bill Allows Insurers to Continue Denials Based on Pre-Existing
Washington,
Nov 4, 2009 -
House Democrats today asked House Republicans whether they have had a change of heart on allowing insurance companies to continue denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions. Despite their rhetoric in recent months about ensuring coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, the bill Republicans released yesterday would allow insurers to continue these denials. A ban on insurance company denials based on pre-existing conditions is a core component of the House Democratic health reform bill – and one of the key changes Americans want to see from health reform. If Republicans are serious about maintaining the status quo, it’s time for them to drop their rhetoric and level with the American people.
“The legislation drafted behind closed doors by House Republican Leadership does not end discrimination based on pre-existing conditions – it forces Americans with pre-existing conditions to pay up to 50 percent more than average for coverage, leaving many who are already sick to pay more than they can possible afford,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). “The plan introduced yesterday makes clear that their promises to help American families ring untrue. The House Republican plan focuses on keeping the status quo and looking out for insurance companies.”
“Right now, health insurance companies routinely deny Americans coverage for having a pre-existing condition, ranging from allergies to diabetes to cancer,” said U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). “Even women who have suffered the horrors of domestic violence or rape are often denied coverage. And yet, after months of delay and obstruction, Republicans finally announce their answer to resolving these people’s plight, and, surprise, surprise, it’s the same as the insurance companies' -- a great big "No.’ Why would they do this? Follow the money: The top 13 health insurers and AHIP have spent almost $23 million lobbying Congress this year to defeat reform. And they have found willing partners in the Republican Party, who have done everything they can over these past few months to prevent any legislation that would lower premiums for American families. Nothing like a fat industry paycheck to focus the mind.”
“Given the glaring omissions in the Republican bill, it’s clear they are willing to sacrifice the health of millions of Americans and bankrupt thousands of companies,” said U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY). “They are so out of touch they don’t even understand the basic point that sick people should have access to affordable health coverage.”
“Keeping track of what the Republican leadership stands for on health care reform is like watching a pinball machine – you never can tell which direction they’re going to head in,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT). “Congressional Republicans were for giving people with pre-existing conditions affordable coverage before they were against it. And now, their bill will actually cause those with a pre-existing condition to pay even more for health insurance. It’s emblematic of the chaos among Republicans in Washington right now, and the American people don’t have time for these games – they need change now.”
Even after numerous news accounts and analyses clearly showed the Republican bill would allow insurers to continue this practice, yesterday Republican leaders continued to falsely claim their bill would “Make quality health care coverage affordable and accessible for every American, regardless of pre-existing health conditions.” [
GOP Leader Alert, 11/3/09]
News coverage of their legislation tells a different story:
“A House Republican health-care bill wouldn't seek to prevent health-insurance companies from denying sick people insurance, Minority Leader John Boehner said Monday… The absence of a requirement to end the practice of insurers being allowed to deny coverage to people who are already ill or have pre-existing conditions would be a significant difference between Democratic and Republican health-care overhaul proposals directly impacting the insurance industry. Republicans also wouldn't prevent insurers from ending policies once an individual becomes seriously ill.” [Wall Street Journal, 11/02/09]
“The House Republican bill would not explicitly prohibit insurers from denying coverage to people because of pre-existing medical conditions, even though many Republicans have said they agree with Democrats that the federal government should outlaw such denials.” [
New York Times, 11/04/09]
“People with pre-existing medical conditions would pay up to 50 percent more for insurance coverage under a draft version of House Republicans’ health care plan.” [
Roll Call, 11/3/09]
“Under the GOP plan, insurance companies would still be allowed to exclude anyone with a pre-existing medical condition from coverage, there would be no national insurance exchange and businesses would not face any mandate to provide insurance nor individuals to buy it.”[
Roll Call, 11/02/09]
“The GOP’s health plan: Meanwhile, House Republicans plan to -- finally! -- unveil their health-care bill this week. And it doesn’t look anything like any of the Democrats’ legislation. Two big differences: Their legislation won’t prevent health insurers from denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions, and it won’t provide money to help those without health insurance.” [
MSNBC, 11/03/09]
“The Republican legislation won’t end insurance industry practices that discriminate against high-risk individuals or provide tax credits to help the uninsured purchase coverage, even though both were included in rank-and-file GOP bills.” [
Politico, 11/02/09]
These accounts don’t match Republicans’ rhetoric over the last few months. So which is it? Did Republicans make a drafting error in rushing to finally produce a bill? Or did they have a last-minute change of heart to appease their friends in the insurance industry?
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers: “We don’t believe that anybody should ever be denied because of a pre-existing condition. We support legislation that prevents insurers from denying coverage as well as high risk pools that have been created to insure those who are considered uninsurable or who have chronic conditions.” [
PlumLine, 11/4/09]
Majority Leader John Boehner: “We're for a system that everybody can have access to regardless of their preexisting conditions.” [Weekly Republican Press Conference, 6/11/09]
Majority Whip Roy Blunt: “We want to be sure that everybody has access to coverage. We're willing to do whatever it takes to get beyond the preexisting conditions barrier. We want people to have more choices.” [CNN Newsroom, 7/17/09]
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC): “Republicans have commonsense solutions that will help Americans afford insurance, regardless of preexisting conditions.” [House Floor, 7/22/09]
Rep. Paul RyaN (R-WI): “…let's get everybody insured who has preexisting conditions.” [MSNBC, 7/29/09]
Rep. Charles W. Boustany (R-LA): “All individuals should have access to coverage, regardless of preexisting conditions.” [News Release, 9/22/09]
Rep. Tom Price (R-GA): “If you happen to have a diagnosis that results in a major calamitous event for you or your family from a medical standpoint, or you have an injury that results in a major expenditure, you ought not be priced out of the market. You ought not lose your insurance. That is wrong.”[House Floor 9/22/09]
Rep. Eric Cantor: “And I believe very strongly that the areas of agreement have to do with the real aim of health care reform, which is to bring down costs, which is to deal with preexisting conditions.” [House Republican Leadership Stakeout, 9/23/09]
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
